Aretha Franklin and Yo-Yo Ma to headline at Barack Obama inauguration

Franklin has received a record 21 Grammy awards throughout her career and tops Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 greatest singers everPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

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Cellist Yo-Yo Ma will also performPhoto: AP

10:47PM GMT 17 Dec 2008

The US Marine band will open the Jan 20 ceremony, followed by performances by children's choirs from San Francisco, said Dianne Feinstein, the California Senator who is heading the inaugural ceremony committee.

After welcoming remarks by Ms Feinstein, and a religious invocation by evangelical Pastor Rick Warren, Franklin, 66, will perform. The so-called "Queen of Soul" has received a record 21 Grammy awards throughout her career and tops Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 greatest singers ever.

Vice-President-Elect Joe Biden will then take the oath of office, followed by performances from Mr Perlman, an Israeli-American violinist, and Mr Ma, a Chinese-American cellist, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill.

Then John Roberts, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, will administer the oath of office to Mr Obama, after which the new president will deliver his inaugural address.

After Mr Obama speaks, there will be a reading by poet Elizabeth Alexander, a blessing by Joseph Lowery – a pastor and civil rights-era leader – and a US naval band will play the national anthem.